'hemolysis-inducing' originates from a combination of the noun 'hemolysis' and the verb 'induce'. 'hemolysis' ultimately derives from Greek where 'haima' meant 'blood' and 'lysis' meant 'loosening' or 'dissolution'; 'induce' comes from Latin 'inducere' (in- + ducere) where 'in-' meant 'into/toward' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead.'

'hemolysis' entered English via New Latin/Medieval Latin 'haemolysis' and developed into the modern English 'hemolysis'; 'induce' derives from Latin 'inducere' through Old French and Middle English to produce English 'induce'. The compound form 'hemolysis-inducing' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe an agent that causes hemolysis.

Initially the Greek-derived element referred to 'dissolution or loosening of blood' and in medical usage came to mean 'destruction or rupture of red blood cells'; 'induce' originally meant 'to lead into' and evolved into the causative sense 'to cause'. Together they now mean 'causing destruction of red blood cells.'